MORE than 700 artists, managers, producers and companies from across the UK music industry have issued an urgent rallying call for unity against division and hatred.
Prompted by too many examples of racism and intolerance – including, recently, sustained anti-Jewish outbursts and the horrific incidents that led to the BLM movement – the open letter urges everyone in the industry to speak out and eradicate racism.
The letter acknowledges that minorities have suffered and have painful collective memories. It goes on to identify that all forms of racism have the same roots – ignorance, lack of education and scapegoating.
The statement includes the following call to action: “We, the British music industry, are proudly uniting to amplify our voices, to take responsibility, to speak out and stand together in solidarity. Silence is not an option.”
The signatories include artists The 1975, Nile Rodgers, Lewis Capaldi, MNEK, Rita Ora, Clean Bandit, Labrinth, Little Mix, Ashnikko, NAO, Biffy Clyro, Mabel, Years & Years, Jess Glynne, Jonas Blue, Niall Horan, James Blunt, Naughty Boy, Grace Carter, Yungblud, and Joy Crookes.
Plus: Kanya King CBE (MOBO Award founder), Grace Ladoja MBE (manager), Grace Carter, Paul Epworth (producer), Amber Davis (music executive), Wayne Hector (songwriter), Kamille (songwriter), Adele Roberts (broadcaster – BBC Radio 1), Sam Roman (songwriter), Tim Blacksmith (executive), Danny D (executive), Dumi Oburota (executive- owner Disturbing London), Guy Moot (co-chair/ CEO Warner Chappell Publishing), Jackie Davidson (manager), Jamz Supernova (broadcaster – BBC Radio 1 Xtra), Markell Casey (publisher), Louis Bloom (president of Island Records), David Ventura (CO-MD Sony ATV UK), Nick Raphael (president, Capitol Records UK), Phil Christie (president, Warner Records UK), Michael Adex (manager – Aitch), Rebecca Allen (president of EMI Music), Tiffany Calver (broadcaster – BBC Radio 1/ 1xtra), Emma Banks (CAA), Joe Gossa (executive – Black Butter), Matt Bates (Primary Talent), Jamie Oborne (manager- The 1975), Stuart Camp (manager – Ed Sheeran), Keith Harris OBE (manager – Stevie Wonder), Roberto Neri (EVP, Downtown Music Holdings/chair of MPA), Tony Harlow (Warner Music UK chair and CEO), Merck Mercuriadis (executive), Isabel Garvey (Abbey Road Studios), Universal Music UK, Warner Music UK, Sony Music UK, BPI, Ivors Academy, MMF (Music Managers Forum) and UK Music.
ENDS
Notes for editors:
A copy of the open letter and all its signatories can be read
here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rkEtRy3pUPV12eC1cECC2Huqo8slKtOQtZtGSHQwKq8/edit
* The letter is accompanied by the hashtag #NoSilenceInMusic. To access the creative assets click here: https://fromsmash.com/NoSilenceInMusic
* There are artists and music executives available to discuss this for interviews.
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